Mechanical force gauge



Fb. 27,-1968 R. R. DILLON 3,370,458

MECHANI CAL FORCE GAUGE Original Filed Aug. 28, 1962 l3 "E: I

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IN VEN TOR.

RALH-i R. DILLON ayf&a=%apwziga A TTGR/VE'YS United States Patent Ofiice3,370,458 MECHANICAL FORCE GAUGE Ralph R. Dillon, Van Nuys, Calif.,assignor to W. C. Dillon & Company, Inc., a corporation of CaliforniaContinuation of abandoned application Ser. No. 219,973,

Aug. 28, 1962. This application Sept. 10, 1965, Ser. No.

2 Claims. (Cl. 73-141) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A mechanical forcegauge for measuring opposed forces by deformation of parallel armsconnected by a loop at one end and freely extending at their other ends.One of the arms includes an integral extension for supporting anindicating instrument having a probe running parallel to the free ends.The other free end member includes an anvil element inclined and engagedby the probe such that lateral movement between the free end membersurges the probe in a longitudinal or parallel direction to the endmembers. The relative distance between the anvil and the probe may beinitially adjusted to vary the capacity of the gauge and the angle ofthe inclination of the anvil member may be adjusted to vary thesensivity of the gauge.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 219,973,filed Aug. 28, 1962, and entitled, Mechanical Force Gauge, nowabandoned.

This invention generally relates to mechanical type force measuringinstruments and more particularly concerns an improved mechanical typeforce gauge which is particularly designed for measuring opposing forcessuch as might be exerted, for example, by the opposing electrodes of aspot welding machine.

Although the invention will be described at times, for illustrativepurposes, with respect to its application to the electrodes of a weldingmachine, it is apparent that the invention may be advantageouslyemployed in numerous applications wherever opposing forces are exerted.In fact, the force gauge of the present invention may be uniquelyemployed on a table or other flat surface for an application in which asingle force exerting member is brought downwardly into engagement withthe gauge while the table or other stationary surface provides theopposing force. The advantages of the improved force gauge of thepresent invention with respect to these different applications will beapparent as the specification proceeds.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improvedforce gauge which readily lends itself to convenient reading of theforce measurements, and which is particularly adaptable for convenientpackaging and handling.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved forcegauge which is so designed as to have minimum overall dimensions, andfurther which is constructed to enable quick and precise adjustments formeasuring forces throughout wide ranges.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedmechanical force gauge in which several adjustments may conveniently bemade with respect to both the capacity and sensitiveness of the gauge.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide animproved mechanical force gauge which emplays a minimum number of partsassembled together in a rugged construction, and in which the gauge issubstantially maintenance free and designed for a long life.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide animproved mechanical force gaugewhich is de- Patented Feb. 27, 1968signed such that it may be positioned on a table or other fiat surfaceand read from above.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedforce gauge in which the indicating means as such may be easily removedand shipped or handled separately if necessary, and yet in which theindicating means may be readily reassembled and adjusted with respect tothe force measuring member.

These and other objects of the present invention are generally attainedby providing a force gauge comprising an integral U-shaped memberdefining a looped portion and spaced free ends. Force engaging surfacesare provided near the looped portion such that opposing forces may beimposed thereon to cause at least one of the free ends to move laterallyrelative to the other.

An indicator means is coupled to the unit, and the indicator meansincludes a probe which has its axis positioned to be substantiallyparallel to the free ends of the gauge. An anvil is coupled to the oneof the free ends which is designed to be responsive to said lateralmovement; the anvil imparts an axial movement to the probe of theindicator means.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the other of the free endsis provided with an integral extension which is designed to have theindicator means coupled thereto.

A better understanding of the present invention will be had by nowreferring to an illustrative embodiment thereof as shown in theaccompanying drawings, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of an improved mechanical forcegauge according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top view of the force gauge shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the interengagement of theindicating means and the anvil means on the force gauge for actuatingsame;

FIGURE 4 is a view showing the inter-coupling of the indicator means tothe force gauge;

FIGURE 5 illustrates a modification to the force gauge of the presentinvention for varying the capacity thereof;

FIGURE 6 illustrates a further modification to the force gauge of thepresent invention for varying the capacity and sensitivity thereof; and,

FIGURE 7 shows in exploded form the particular means for varying thecapacity and sensitivity of the force gauge as shown assembled in FIGURE6.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG- URE 1 a forcegauge, according to the present invention, embodying a base member 10having integrally formed therewith an upper member 11. The base member10 and the upper member 11 are joined together with a looped portion 12to define a generally U-shaped resilient member designed to pivotapproximately about a point 13 of the looped portion 12. A slot 14 isdefined between the upper member 11 and the base member 10 enabling theupper member 11 to move towards the base member 10 a limited distance.

The upper member 11 is provided with a recessed area 15 which isdesigned to receive a force exerting member, for example the electrodeof a spot welding machine. Similarly, the bottom face 16 of the basemember 10 is designed to receive a force exerting member, for examplethe other electrode of spot welding machine.

As shown from the view of FIGURE 1, the force gauge construction of thepresent invention is also adaptable to measuring tensile loads. Thus,there is shown a clevis 17 designed to be received in a tapped opening18 in the upper member 11. Similarly, another clevis 19 may bethreadedly secured to the base member 16 in a tapped hole providedthereinswhen compression loads arebeing measured, the clevises 17 and 19are merely removed and the forces may be imposed directly on thesurfaces and 16. If necessary, appropriate plugs may be threaded intothe tapped openings when compression loads are used.

For safety purposes, a pin 20 may be provided which fits loosely througha larger diameter opening 21 in the upper member 11, and which threadssecurely into a tapped hole 22 in the base member 16. A set screw 23 maybe provided to laterally extend through the base member 16 and securethe pin 28 therein, wherein a predetermined amount of overload range oftravel is permitted.

In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the upper member11 is bifurcated at its free end to define opposing ears 24 and 25, asmore clearly shown in the view of FIGURE 3.

An anvil shaped member 26 is slidingly received in axially alignedopenings provided in the opposite cars 24 and 25. The anvil member 26 isprovided with a screw slot at one end for rotative adjustment thereof.The anvil member 26 is provided with a cam face 28. The 'preciserotative position of the anvil member 26 may be adjusted by using ascrew driver in the screw slot 27 and thereafter locking the anvilmember in position by a set screw 29.

The cam face 28 is designed to cooperate with a probe 30 of aconventional large dial faced indicating instrument 31 in a manner thatwill become clearer as the specification proceeds.

The indicating instrument 31 is provided on its back portion with adisc-shaped support 32 which is recessed to define arcuate ears 33 and34 within which is received an integral extension 35 of the base member10, as more clearly seen in the view of FIGURE 4. In this regard, theextension 35 is provided with a slot 36 through which a screw or pin isdesigned to extend to be locked by a nut 37. Thus, the nut 37 straddlesthe slot 36 and tightens the extension 35 against the disc member 32between the cars 33 and 34. By merely loosening the nut 37, theindicating instrument 31 may be slid up and down along the slot 36 toany desired position to vary the capacity of the unit.

The operation of the improved mechanical force gauge of the presentinvention may now be described. It will be apparent that by exertingeither a tensile or compression force against the members 19 and'11'tha't is, the force engaging surfaces 15 and 16 thereof-acorresponding movement of the members 10 and 11 will occur relative toeach other at the free ends thereof whereby the anvil member 26 willmove upwardly or downwardly. Thus, with the clevises 17 and 19 employed,the free end of the member 11 will tend to be drawn away from the freeend of the member 10. By adjustment of the anvil 26 to a properposition, for example at the angle of the screw slot shown in FIGURE 1,the probe 30 of the indicator 31 will be forced away from the cam face28 to yield a proportionate force reading. On the other hand, if theanvil 26 is in the rotative position as shown in FIGURE 3, compressionloads will tend to force the probe 30 towards the dial face of theindicating means 31 to give an indication of the force being applied.Thus, by a simple screw driver adjustment of the anvil 26, the gauge maybe changed to read either tensile or compression loads. Of course, theclevises 17 and 19 must be threaded or removed as required.

Under compression, the actual depth of the slot 14 will limit movementof the upper member 11- towards the base member 10. Under tension loads,for example using the clevises 17 and 19 as shown in FIGURE 1,the'overload pin 20 will limit the movement of the upper member 11 awayfrom the base member 10.

The sensitivity of the force gauge may be quickly variedby adjusting theanvil member 26 such that the cam face 28 thereof is at a slightly lessor greater angle and by thereafter resetting the set screw-29 in themanner as heretofore stated. In addition, the capacity may be varied bychanging the position of the indicating mem ber 31 along the slot 36 ofthe extension 35 of the base member 11. Of course, conventionaladjustments may be made in the zero position of the dial indicator in aman,- ner well known in the art.

It should also be noted that the anvil face 28 travels in a slight arcand that the cooperation between the face 28 and the probe 30 effects amotion correcting for the arc and resulting in a linear reading.

As will be clearly evident from the views of FIGURES 1 and 2, theinstrument is readily adaptable towards applicafions of forcemeasurements in which the gauge is positioned on a flat surface andcompression loads are to be measured. In other words, without theclevises 17 and 19, the gauge may be rested on a table top and a forceapplied on the surface 15 which will cause movement of the upper member11 about the pivot point 13 of the looped portion 12 towards the basemember 14. In view of the horizontal disposition of the indicating means31, the dial face thereof may be readily read from. a position above thegauge. It will also be appreciated that by having the indicating means31 in line, so to speak, with the upper member 11 that considerablespace is conserved and the overall dimensions of the gauge may be heldto a minimum. In other words, the probe 30 has its axis actuallyparallel to the members 11 and 10 rather than perpendicular ascharacterizes the more conventional constructions.

It will be noted that the looped portion 12 is formed substantially inthe upper member 11 thereby assuring movement thereof rather than basemember 10. In consequence, the base member 10 may be used for mountingthe indicator 31 (through extension 35) without the possibility of errorbecause of movement of member 10.

Certain variations in the sensitivity and capacity of the gauge may beachieved by the modifications as set forth in FIGURES 5, 6, and 7.

Thus, in FIGURE 5, there is shown a split sleeve adapter or insert 33which may be inserted in the looped portion 12 to increase the capacityof the unit. In other words, with the sleeve or insert 38 provided inthe looped portion 12, it will be appreciated that a greater force mustbe exerted since the stiffness of the sleeve 38 as well as the resilientforce in the members 10 and 11 must be overcome. By increasing ordecreasing the thickness of the sleeve 38, the capacity of the unitmaybe varied. Such a structure is also shown in applicants co-pendingapplication. Ser. No. 207,644, filed July 5, 1962, entitled MechanicalForce Gauge.

In FIGURES 6 and 7 is shown a construction wherein the anvil is somewhatdifferently constructed such that both capacity and sensitivity of thegauge may be varied at this one point. Thus, there is shown in FIGURE 6an eccentric 39 embodying an end bearing 40, connecting portion 41, andanother end bearing 42. One of the heal ing members 40, for example,extends beyond the sidewall of the ear and may be provided with toolreceiving openings 43 for rotating same. A set screw 44 may be providedto extend through the bearing 40 to an inner eccentrically locatedopening. Another set screw 45 may be provided for extending through theear to tighten against the bearing portion 42.

Received within the bearing members 40 and 42 is an anvil 46,- similarto the anvil 26 described heretofore, which is locked in position by theset screw 44. 7

With such a construction, the eccentric unit 39 may be rotated by thetool holes 43 to a position 39a, for

example, such that the anvil 46 will have its forwardmost area movedfrom a point P to a point P Thereafter, the anvil 46, as such, may beadjusted by a screw driver in the same manner as the anvil 26. The setscrew may be tightened to secure the anvil 46 into position while theset screw 45 may betightened to secure the eccentric 39 as a whole inposition.

With such a construction, the capacity of the unit may be varieddirectly by adjustment of the rotative position of the eccentric unit 39by loosening and tightening the set screw 45. Thereafter, the moreprecise sensitivity of the unit may be varied by loosening andtightening the set screw 44 and rotating the anvil 46 disposed therein.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the improved force gaugeaccording to the present invention provides a simple and ruggedconstruction for conveniently measuring both tensile and compressionforces of the type exemplified by electrodes of a spot welder, forexample. It will also be seen that the force gauge of the presentinvention may be embodied in a relatively small overall dimension, andthat it may be readily adjusted and/or modified to accommodate a Widerange of capacities as Well as made more accurate to enable very preciseload measurements. Furthermore, by proper dimensioning, it

may be readily designed for manual carrying from place 7 to place andfor shipping either ina completely assembled form or With the indicatingunit separate therefrom.

Although the preferred embodiment has been illustrated and described, itwill be appreciated that various modifications and changes may be madeto the improved mechanical force gauge of the present invention withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof as set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A force gauge comprising: an integral U-shaped resilient memberdefining a looped portion and spaced upper and lower members having freeends, said looped portion being formed substantially within one of saidupper and lower members; force engaging surfaces provided near saidlooped portions such that opposing forces imposed thereon will cause thefree end of said one of said members to move laterally relative to theother of said free ends; an integral extension extending from said otherof said members, said integral extension including a longitudinal slotparallel to said free ends; indicator means slidable along said slot andincluding securing means to enable said indicating means to be securedto said extension at a selected longitudinal point, said indicator meanshaving a probe with its axis substantially parallel to said free endsand slot; and, anvil means coupled to the free end of said one of saidmembers for movement therewith, said anvil means being designed toengage said probe and cause axial movement thereof.

2. A force gauge comprising: an integral U-shaped resilient memberdefining a looped portion and spaced upper and lower members having freeends; force engaging surfaces provided near said looped portion suchthat opposing forces imposed thereon will cause at least one of saidfree ends to move laterally relative to the other; indicator meanscoupled to said lower member, said indicator means having a probe withits axis substantially parallel to said free ends, said free end of saidupper member being bifurcated to define opposing ears; an anvil membermounted in said free end between said ears, said anvil member having acam surface canted for engagement with said probe, whereby said probe iscaused to move logitudinally in response to lateral movement of said oneof said free ends because of the angle of said cam surface; and, meansfor adjusting the longitudinal disposition of said anvil relative tosaid probe, a bearing member mounted in said bifurcated ends, said anvilmember being mounted in said bearing member eccentrically such thatrotation of said bearing member will change the longitudinal dispositionof said anvil member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,833,145 5/1958 McCullough73-144 2,912,657 11/1959 Schaevitz 735l7 2,922,632 1/1960 Bondra et a1.735l7 RICHARD C. QUEISSER, Primary Examiner.

JAMES J. GILL, Examiner.

J. H. WILLIAMSON, Assistant Examiner.

